Ingredients
Scale
Let’s gather our ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delicious baked ziti:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
These ingredients are simple and easy to find. I love how they come together to create a dish that feels special, yet requires minimal effort!
Instructions
- Boil salted water and cook ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef, then drain excess fat. Add garlic, marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Mix ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan in a bowl until creamy.
- In a casserole dish, layer half of the meat sauce, ziti, and cheese mixture. Repeat layers and top with remaining sauce and cheese.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for different flavors.
- Let the baked ziti sit for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Meat-based
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg